wire house for networkins

[mailliw]

Before going wireless, I am considering wireing my home instead, more security and better speed. What I need to know is what supplies would I need. Wanting to place 3-5 stations in home.
Thanks
mailliw

 

[Geoff]

for a simple setup, you need a router and 3-5 network cables.

 

[Trizoy]

Depending on how big your house is you would need...
The router (purchase any local computer store)
The modem (provided by the isp)
Network cards for your computers (some have onboard cards, some dont)
Cat5 Cable (i would suggest buying a spool of cat5 and splicing it yourself, a lot cheaper.)

 

[apj101]

Cat5 Cable (i would suggest buying a spool of cat5 and splicing it yourself, a lot cheaper.)

agree, if you looking at distances >10-20 meters it can work out much cheaper to make the cables yourself. Here is a tutorial
http://www.homepcnetwork.com/makecablef.htm

 

[Geoff]

although you kinda lose out on the savings by having to by the crimping tools and the coupler's.

 

[apj101]

not really the cripping tools cost about £10, and the connectors are £2 for 10. And trust me if your cabling up several computers over large distances (>20-30m) then it is much cheaper And you'll prob have lots spare for the future.

 

[Geoff]

No doubt about it if its a large area like an office building, school, or something of that sort. Crimping tools here are like $20+ and a couple bucks for the couplers. On newegg, you can get a 100' pre-made network cable for only $8.

 

[Curt]

OR get a gigabit router and get CAT6 cable but that cost about twice as much. If you don't want to spend the money on CAT6 just get a spool of CAT5e.
Cables To Go is my brand of choice, not THE best but definately very good especially when factoring the price/quality ratio.
If you did get CAT6 you have to remember to get the connectors for CAT6.
And remember, your network is only as fast as the slowest cable.

Another good reason to make your own cable is if a patch cable ever got damaged it just take a couple minutes to make a new one. It's also usually better quality.
And a 100' cable is only good for 100'. If your going longer than that than you will need to connect two together. My longest section in my house was about 130'. Also the 100' premade cable come with the ends on it which equals drilling bigger holes. It's easier to snake a cable through holes if there isn't an end on it.